Ms. Matthews says physicians and public-health officials have been asked to “respect the science” behind a decision to immunize certain groups before others. She was unclear, however, whether doctors who allowed professional athletes the vaccine ahead of priority patients could face sanctions.

“When it comes to the queue-jumpers, that’s one of the questions that I’m exploring right now,” she told reporters. “I need to better understand that. And when I better understand that, I’ll share it with you.”

Reports surfaced Thursday that some members and staff of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and the NBA’s Toronto Raptors had received the H1N1 flu shots ahead of other priority patients.

Earlier this week, it was revealed members of the Calgary Flames hockey team had been vaccinated en masse; the Alberta government fired a health official in response.

The Ottawa Senators report that they’re waiting in line like other non-priority patients.

It is unknown exactly who on the Toronto teams received the vaccination.

Last week, public health officials announced a sudden shortage of the vaccine and issued an edict that only priority groups are to be vaccinated.

The priority groups include people under 65 with chronic conditions, pregnant women, children between six months and five years, health care workers, people in contact with children under six months old and people living in remote communities.

Ms. Matthews said she was upset to hear pro athletes -- and possibly the people who treat them -- had decided not to abide by the province’s request.

“I don’t care who you are, how rich you are, how famous you are. If you’re not in the priority group, get out of line and let the people who are in priority groups get their vaccination,” she said. “We will be expanding access to vaccine as quickly as we have the supply available. In the meantime, the priority groups have got to go first.”

Ontario will open vaccinations to a second group of target patients as soon as supply permits.

They include school-aged children between 5-18 years old, medical first responders like ambulance personnel and firefighters, as well as swine and poultry workers.